And he smiles!!

We were able to snap some pics of Nate smiling this morning!

Until next time.....

Christmas 2008

We had a wonderful Christmas with our family this year. Everyone came here because of Nate being so little. On Christmas Eve, we celebrated with NeeNee and Poppa and then went to Mass. Mass was quite the adventure. We ended up sitting in the cry room. Enough said, there. Our kids were absolute angels at Mass. Let's just say, there were children there (and some parents, too) that should have gotten a lump of coal in their stocking based on their behavior in church. When we got home from Mass, the elves had left packages by the front door. Matching jammies for all the kids....even Nate! We, then, continued with our traditions of reading "Santa Mouse" and leaving cookies, milk for Santa, a carrot for Rudolph, and a piece of cheese for Santa Mouse. The kids were off to bed soon after with great hopes that Santa would be there soon.
5 o'clock in the A.M. came really soon. That's when Caroline and Sam woke up for the day. They were shoo-ed out of the den a few times by Nana when we finally just got up and let them see their loot.
We enjoyed a wonderful lunch meal and played most of the day. Bedtime couldn't have come soon enough. Mommie and Daddy were tired!

Here's the slideshow of our Christmas...


Until next time...

When Nate was 2 weeks old, we went and had Christmas pictures done. Here are the low-resolution "proofs" of them.



Until next time...

Nate is one month old!

WANTED! Kraft Garlic Cheese Link

Well, it seems as though Kraft has decided to discontinue making their garlic cheese rolls. It's processed cheese that comes in a link. I've been to 4 grocery stores here. None have them or even a spot on the shelf. So I went online to see what was up. Yep. DISCONTINUED. How am I supposed to make cheese peas for Christmas dinner? I did do some cyper-sleuthing and found what I think will make a substitute for the cheese but how can they discontinue something they've made for 35 years? It's just wrong. I've already got an email into Kraft. Not that it will do any good, but at least I made my opinion on this rash decision known.

It's a sad, sad day.

Until next time...

Tina's got the Christmas spirit!

Sam and I found these today and we knew that Tina HAD to have it.
Now even the van has joined in the Christmas spirit :)

Until next time...

Sad news...

We received some very sad news last night. My Great Aunt Ruth (Paw Paw's sister) passed away sometime between Monday and Wednesday in Glendale, CA. Aunt Ruth was quite a card. She was a very unique person who marched to the beat of a VERY different drummer. I have some great memories of her and will miss her very much. Rest in peace, Aunt Ruth.

I found this picture of Caroline meeting Aunt Ruth for the first time. Caroline was about 10 months old in this picture. Aunt Ruth is the one in the vest.

Until next time...

The Babins visit Santa Claus (or one of his helpers...)

We took the kids to see Santa Claus on Tuesday night at the mall. We stood in line for almost an hour, talked about what we would tell Santa, and how we would smile good smiles. Nathaniel slept the entire time. We got up to Santa, took the picture, and then Santa says, "Now what can I bring each of you?" Both Caroline and Sam FROZE! They couldn't think of anything to tell him. All I kept thinking was Ralphie in "A Christmas Story." Sam talked to Santa as if he knew him personally. "I want that toy we saw in Target yesterday. You know, that Thomas signal thing." It was too funny. Here's the $20 (smallest package they had!!!!) that we came home with....

Until next time...

Happy Friday!

Enjoy these pics of the boys.

Have a great weekend!

Until next time....

SNOW in Texas!

Around 6pm tonight, this white stuff started falling from the sky. Yep, SNOW! The kids were way excited and got to play in it. It's now 10:30pm and it is still falling steadily. Craziness!

Here are a few pics:

Until next time.....

Way to grow, Nathaniel!

Took Nate to the ped today for his 2 week check. He now weighs 7lbs 7 oz and has grown 1/4 inch. WOO HOO! He and I are also being treated for thrush. He hasn't complained or seemed uncomfortable but had the typical white patches in his mouth. We left with an RX for Nystatin. He is a very good baby - eats, sleeps, and has regular diapers. The only issue we have is that he won't sleep in his bed/portacrib. We are working diligently on that. Everyone has adjusted to having our Nate home and things are good.

Until next time....

He's gaining!

We took Nate to the pediatrician today for a weight check. He was discharged with a weight of 6lbs 7oz. Today's weight was 7lbs 1oz so he is now only 3 oz shy of birth weight. YAY! A kid that gains weight!!!! Nate is one week old today and is doing wonderfully. He slept a 4 hour stretch last night which was nice.

Until next time....

Happy Holidays!

The kids and I made this tonight. We had a good time making it :)

We are home...

Yesterday, around 1pm, we brought Nate home from the hospital. We are slowly getting used to the new "normal" around here. I am very thankful to be home and surrounded by my kids, as I missed them tremendously while in the hospital.

Big, huge thanks go to Nana for tending to them while we were gone. I know it was not an easy job, but they said they had a ton of fun. Thanks, Nana for EVERYTHING. Thanks to Nee Nee and Poppa for taking them to see "Bolt" on Wednesday. Sam quotes the movie daily and talks all about the popcorn. Thanks to K.K. and Aaron for coming to see Baby Nate and spending Thanksgiving "meal" at the hospital together. Certainly will not be a meal I will soon forget.

So now, we get used to being a family of FIVE. Boy am I glad we got that minivan :)

Gobble, Gobble....

Happy Day-After-Thanksgiving from Nate...

Until next time....

Nathaniel Joseph is here!

Nathaniel Joseph Babin was born at 8:28am yesterday (November 25, 2008). He weighed in at a whopping 7lbs4oz (the biggest of any of our kids) and was 19 inches long. Nate is a doing well. The surgery went fine and I'm recovering well. We should be home on Friday sometime.

Here are a few pics from yesterday:

Signing off for now....

Jason and I have to be at Clear Lake Regional at 5:30am and then delivery is scheduled for 7:30am. Someone will update as soon as we can. Tomorrow is the BIG day!

~SARAH~

I Trust God and I'm glad I'm not a Turkey

Sam had his annual Thanksgiving feast at school on Wednesday. The Kinderskills classes performed a little skit about the First Thanksgiving. Sam had the role of a Pilgrim Man. Each time the narrator said Pilgrim Men, the kids said "I trust God." It was too cute. Afterwards, the classes sang a few songs. My personal favorite is one they sang last year.

Oh, I'm glad I'm not a turkey, a turkey, a turkey.
Oh, I'm glad I'm not a turkey on Thanksgiving Day.

They'll cook you and baste you and then they'll all taste you.

Oh, I'm glad I'm not a turkey on Thanksgiving Day.

Pilgrim Sam

Once we ate our feast, we were invited back to the classroom to view the "dressed" turkeys that the class did. They are too funny. Sam's is the one on the far left, the pirate turkey.

Caroline's school did their feast on Monday. Sam and I joined her for lunch that day. She had an Author's Celebration and Diabetes Walk today. It's been busy, busy. She has a "book" of her writings that I'll need to put on here. She has become quite the writer.

So now, the kids are out for a week for Thanksgiving. They are anxiously awaiting Nate's arrival on Tuesday. I went to the doctor for the last time. I am still dilated at 1cm and all systems are a go for Tuesday at 7:30am. Big things are happening soon!!!!

Until next time....

We have the bestest friends in the whole wide world!

See this hat?

That's Sam. The hat he is wearing is the one that he and Caroline both wore when they came home from the hospital. They both wore the SAME hat. Now, I've been looking for the aforementioned hat for 2 weeks at this house. Cannot.find.it.anywhere. I expressed my disappointment to a few people in not being to find this hat.

Fast forward to this past Friday....

I open my mailbox and find not just one envelope, but TWO envelopes in there. In each of these envelopes is a hat. I now have two LSU hats, just alike, for Nate to wear home. Our friends are the best....thanks!!!

Happy Birthday!

Just wanted to wish my Aunt Carol Ann and my friend, Erin, a Happy Birthday today. Hope all your birthday wishes come true!

It is now official....

As of 8:41pm, I've passed my record for the longest I've ever been pregnant. Both Caroline and Sam were born at 37w4days and that is today. Woo hoo! Here's to another 10 days of pregnancy and then welcoming Baby Nate...

37 week appt and now it's my turn....

Went to the OB today for my 37 week check. I am still dilated to 1cm. No change there. Baby's heartrate was 155bpm, which is normal. BP is fine. She will see me again next Friday. Because I've not been feeling well and told her that my throat was bothering me, she did a rapid strep test. It came out negative, but because I, as she put it, "look like cr*p", she gave me an antibiotic to get whatever this is out of my system. Jason is sick, too, so it looks like we've been passing it around our house for about a month. He's got the same crud that Sam had last week. We've been taking turns sleeping in the recliner, so needless to say, between the 2 of us, we haven't gotten much sleep this week. I am hoping we can get some rest after Caroline's soccer game this weekend. We need to get well before we have a new baby in the house. Here's to hoping all these sickies go away soon and for a VERY long time!!

After my appointment, I went to a local spa and got a prenatal massage. I've earned it and it was very nice! Sam got to go play at Cameron's house today after school so I could do it. He and Cam have such a great time together that he cries when I get there to pick him up. It's such a good thing he has (and I have) such good friends here :)

Until next time....

Full term today....

This was in my weekly newsletter today....

Your baby is full-term! This means that if your baby arrives now, his lungs should be fully mature and ready to adjust to life outside the womb.

WOO HOO! We only have 14 more days until our scheduled day for Nate to join us. We (read: ME) are getting things together. The car seat is going into the van this week. I have washed all the clothes. I have packed for the hospital. Plans are starting the shape up for the "big kids" for while I'm in the hospital. The kids are getting antsy. They've had enough of this leading up to his birth, let's just get it on!!

Until next time.....

Let the holiday season begin.....

These little delectable pieces of heaven are now on the shelves of your local grocery store. I have 2 boxes in my pantry as you read this. Let the holidays commence!

Caroline says to hide them from Poppa and Nana. She is sure they would eat them all up!

Until next time...

A Sad Day for Houston

Mac the Elephant has died. He lived only a short 2 years. We remember when he was born here and how the zoo had a huge birthday party for him last year when he turned one.

Here's the post on the Houston Zoo website...

Houston Zoo Mourns Passing of Beloved Elephant Mac

Mac, the Houston Zoo’s 2 year old Asian elephant whose mischievous nature endeared him to thousands of Zoo guests died last night following a brief struggle with the elephant herpesvirus. The entire Zoo staff is devastated. It’s difficult to put into words and describe the attachment that has developed over the past two years. This is a terrible loss especially for the elephant keepers and veterinary medical staff who cared for Mac during his time with us.
We are also aware how important Mac has become to our family of Members, Donors, Volunteers, Guests and the entire Houston community and we know that you share in our grief. Thank you to everyone who has supported the Houston Zoo and shown an amazing amount of affection for Mac in his two years at the Houston Zoo.

Houston Zoo elephant keepers alerted the Zoo’s veterinarians Sunday morning when they saw indications that Mac was exhibiting initial symptoms of elephant herpesvirus. Our keepers perform regular inspections of all our elephants and are trained to look for indications such as loss of appetite, lethargy, and swelling in certain areas of the head.

The Zoo’s veterinary medical team immediately began administering Famciclovir, an antiviral medication that has shown some limited success in past elephant herpes cases. “Veterinarians administered two doses of Famciclovir over a period of about 7 hours. The early indications were encouraging. Mac’s appetite rallied and he took some water. Despite the early intervention and the best efforts of the Zoo’s keepers and veterinary staff, Mac passed away at approximately 8:30 last night with his mother Shanti and his Aunt Methai at his side. The keepers and vet staff gave Shanti and Methai time alone to mourn Mac’s death. A necropsy, an animal autopsy, will be conducted at the state veterinary diagnostic lab at Texas A&M University. The results will not be known for several weeks.

Elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) is a recent discovery. The virus was identified in 1995 by researchers at the Smithsonian National Zoo and Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Many animals and humans carry herpesviruses throughout their lives and never become sick. For reasons not fully understood, herpesviruses can come out of latency and circulate through the bloodstream. Most elephants are able to fight the virus and survive when it comes out of latency. Calves appear to be most susceptible to the virus after they have been weaned.
Herpesviruses are not limited to elephants in zoos; herpesviruses are found in wild elephants. In fact, wild elephants in Asia have died from EEHV. The Houston Zoo, the AZA, the International Elephant Foundation and other zoos and institutions are supporting the effort of the National Elephant Herpesvirus Laboratory at the Smithsonian National Zoo on testing and treatment for the disease that will contribute to the long-term survival of the species in both zoo and wild populations.

There is no cure for herpesvirus in animals or humans. It is only when an elephant is demonstrating clinical illness that zoos are able to detect the EEHV virus in blood or tissue. There is not yet a direct test to detect elephant herpes virus in a healthy animal with a latent (hidden) infection.

Mac was born October 1, 2006 at the Houston Zoo and set a birth weight record for Asian elephants – 384 pounds. Playful, intelligent, curious and mischievous, Mac quickly became a favorite of Zoo guests and staff alike. Mac enjoyed interacting with his keepers and proved to be a good student, learning more than 30 “behaviors,” activities that provided exercise for him and gave his keepers the tools they needed to care for him.

We understand that Mac’s passing will have a significant impact on our entire Houston Zoo family and we share in your grief. Thank you for your love and support of Mac, and the Houston Zoo elephant family.

Godspeed, Mac, godspeed.

Ultrasound Pictures

This is a picture of Nathaniel's foot. Check out that big toe!


This is such a cool picture of Nate's hair. See the sticky-uppy parts? That's his hair!! The shot is of the back of his head. Look at that hair!!Technology is so awesome.



Until next time....

Whew! What a day!

I had my 36 week appointment with the OB this morning followed by an ultrasound by the High Risk dr. The ultrasound was to check on the placenta due to Sam's quick delivery being because of a placental abruption. I am still at 1cm dilated, heartbeat is fine, blood pressure is fine, weight is fine. I had 45 minutes in-between the time that appointment was over and the u/s appointment. So, I left and went to get a bite to eat and a drink. As I was going back into the building, I missed the step and fell tummy first into the concrete. I tried to break my fall with my hands but the tummy hit first. Some very nice ladies in the parking lot saw me and helped me up. My knees are all scratched up, I look like a 7 year old with skinned knees. It's lovely. I get upstairs to the dr. office, wait for my appointment. I tell the u/s tech what just happened and she does a VERY thorough ultrasound to make sure everything is okay. The placenta looks good, baby Nate looks great. I could see almost everything. He has hair on his head!! It was way too cool. His estimated current weight is 6lbs, 3 oz. There is a +/- factor to this, but that is about right based on what Caroline and Sam weighed at 37weeks 4 days. Nate has chubby cheeks, a nice little booty on him, and he is very much still a HE! After the very thorough u/s, the High Risk dr. tells me to wait and he'll write the report for me to take back over to my OB. He wants me to let them know about the fall. At this point, I am feeling fine. Nate is moving, no contractions or bleeding or extra fluid. So I wait for his report and then walk across the waiting room to the OB's office. Talk to the nurse, who wants to talk to the dr. Nurse comes back, Dr wants me to be monitored to make sure everything is fine. They take me to a room with recliners and machines in it. I get strapped with the 2 monitors - one for contractions, one for heartbeat. I am also given a "Jeopardy" button to push everytime I felt movement. (I am now told that this is referred to as a NST - Non-stress test) Nate was doing fine at first, he moved and his heartrate was fine, with no contractions. Then he decided to take a nap. Heartrate was great just didn't want to move around. Dr. comes in and gives me juice and a glass of ice cold water. I drank that and then that got him going. After all this drama, everything is fine. I am sore, but Nate is fine. Dr. wants me to take it easy for the next few weeks. It's getting really close and I'm to slow down a little bit so as to enjoy the last few weeks of this pregnancy - only 18 more days! We were supposed to attend some things this weekend that we are just going to have to miss. Next weekend, we have Caroline's last soccer game, her soccer team party, and yet another birthday party to attend. WHEW! Then we are taking it easy and preparing for Baby Nate to join us! I'm looking forward to a quiet weekend with my kiddos after all this. It's soon going to be mass chaos at the Babin house :)

In addition to all this, I got a phone call in the middle of it that my van was ready to be picked up but that they needed my key fob to re-program it. I've been without "Tina" for a week and have been driving a Toyota Rav4. When you go from driving a fully loaded mini-van to a bottom-of-the-line Rav4, you really miss it! After a few mishaps later, I finally got my van back this afternoon around 5pm. It's great to have her back. We've missed her.

I have u/s pics to scan tomorrow and then I'll upload them here. For now, I'm going to bed.
Until next time....

Two pregnant sisters

These pictures were taken last weekend. This will be the only time that both of us are pregnant at the same time.

Until next time...

Playdate with gifts for Nate

Last Sunday, some very good friends held a shower for me and Baby Nate. It was a playdate where everyone brought kids and gifts. Fun was had by all and we got some much needed stuff for Nate's impending arrival.

Caroline's Cindy and Sam's school party

Caroline was assigned a project to decorate a pumpkin like her favorite storybook character. Of course, she chose Cinderella. She and Daddy made this creation together. Notice Cindy's "bling" around her crown and neck. Only our child....



Sam's school had their Halloween parade and party on Thursday. They walked around the school in costume then had a party inside the classroom. He got to make his spooky spider dessert. His favorite part of the spider was the candy corn "fangs."



Until next time.....

Happy Birthday, Paw Paw....

This is my Paw Paw's 7th birthday in heaven. I miss him more and more every single day. He really would have enjoyed his little namesake, our Sam. I am so very thankful for the years I got to spend with him.

~SARAH~

Halloween 2008

We had a lot of fun this year at Halloween. Trick or treating, dressing up, eating dinner with friends, and then crashing in bed.......

Caroline dressed up as a ballerina princess (I made her skirt, WM made her leotard, tights, and shoes!) and Sam was a pirate. AAARGH!

On Thursday night, we carved our pumpkin. Sam insisted on making him a "happy" pumpkin. These children like the happy part of Halloween, not that scary blood and guts, skeletons and mummies stuff.

Here's the slideshow I made of our various Halloween festivities:

Another one gone.....

Caroline lost another tooth at school today. This front tooth has been dangling for a week now. We are all thankful it's gone now! Here's some new pictures of our little Snagglepuss.





Until next time.....

Wednesday - Oct. 22nd

Jason is all better now. He returned to work on Monday and is eating normally now. Thus far, no one else has gotten sick.

Yesterday, the adjuster came to look at our Ike damage. We'll know in a few days what they will cover and more details.

*BRAG ALERT* We went to Caroline's Parent/Teacher conference yesterday. The kid is just amazing. They like the kids to be at a DRA level 30 when they leave 2nd grade. Our kid is already at a 30 and is climbing. She is reading chapter books now and comprehends really well. Caroline loves anything Science and loves to write. Mrs. J said that she's has really come out of her shell and gets along well with everyone in her class. We are so proud of her.

Sam had pumpkin patch pictures at school yesterday and says he smiled a good smile. He is such a funny kid. Right now, he's into his Thomas trains again. We rented "The Great Discovery" a few nights ago and he is constantly singing the songs to it. Yep, it's on his Christmas list. Santa has already taken care of it....shhhhh! I'll have to get a video of him singing this one part. It's too funny.

This weekend looks like another busy one coming. We've got a soccer game, birthday party, and playdate to attend. Whew! It just never stops this time of year.

Until next time....

Our Busy Weekend

I am one tired Momma. We woke up on Saturday to Jason with stomach virus. FAB! I got the kids up and we got the heck outta here! Caroline had soccer pictures, then a soccer game. She is getting so much better at soccer. The first game, she was not so aggressive (very girly-like -- can you imagine?!!) It was like she was saying, "oh you want the ball? Okay, here ya go!" The past 2 games, she has gotten more aggressive and is turning out to be quite the defender. Her team won 2-0 and then we were off to the CLUMC Pumpkin Festival. We have been to this the past 2 years and it's always a fun thing. We got there and they only had 1/4 of the pumpkins they usually have, no petting zoo, no train. Only two bouncers with a line a mile long. Caroline and Sam couldn't go in the same one due to age restrictions so we nixed that place after about 20 minutes. I guess times are tough and they couldn't get the train or zoo? Maybe it's Ike's fault. Sure, let's blame it on Ike. We headed to the "Scary Halloween Store" to get Sam's costume. Yes, folks, Sarah Babin BOUGHT a costume for her kid. I don't have the time or energy to make one for him this year. I made Caroline's but he gets the store-bought one this time. Poor kid. After SHS, we went to Lakeshore Learning to do the free craft that they do every Saturday. We perused the science kits and puzzles and then headed out to Target. I was doing anything I could not to go home. WE WILL NOT GET SICK, WE WILL NOT GET SICK was our mantra. Target had what we needed and then we were hungry. The kids were fabulous the whole day, never complained about all the in/out of the car, in/out stores. We went to McAllister's for mac & cheese, soup, and yogurt for lunch. (Guess who the yogurt eater was!?!?) While at McAllister's, I called Katie to see what time "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" started. Awesome - it starts in 45 minutes. We ate our lunch and headed across the parking lot and paid $19 for a mediocre movie about talking Mexican dogs. Caroline, my tender hearted child, cried for a good portion of the movie. She doesn't get that all Disney movies turn out happily ever after. The dog gets lost, has a few setbacks, dog gets found. It's the Disney formula, but no one told Caroline. Every setback Chloe (the main character dog) brought on more waterworks. Love that kid!!
Sam was pretty much just interested in the popcorn and sips of my Diet Coke.
After the movie, we came home. We were gone from 9am until 5:15pm. Jason was quarantined to the back bedroom and forbidden to TOUCH anything. He slept most of the day so he didn't miss us all that much and didn't need us at home. WE WILL NOT GET SICK, WE WILL NOT GET SICK.

Sunday - we laid around until we went to Pasadena for that photographer's place (see more below).

I am thankful today is a school day for one kid. Jason went to work today. We'll see how long he lasts. Sam and I are going out in a little bit to run errands. He has his Art School class this afternoon and then we have soccer practice. It never stops around here.

WE WILL NOT GET SICK, WE WILL NOT GET SICK!

Until next time.....

Fall Pictures

I took the kids out to a Fall festival this afternoon. It was held on the grounds of a local photographer and you could take pics to your heart's delight. The kids had a blast with all the games, petting zoo, cookies, face painting, and pumpkins. More about our exhausting weekend later.

It was like 8th grade again.....

So last night I went to see New Kids on the Block in concert. The last time I saw them in concert, I was 13. It was December 8, 1989. My mother was 7.5 months pregant and we went with my mom, dad, sister, and bestest friend Cari. It was one of those memories that you will never, ever forget. Last night almost topped that night. This time, I was the one pregnant but still had a GREAT time. We get there and go up to our seats (in the nosebleed section of 409) and the ticket lady says that we can't sit in 409 and that we'd have to go to the "Relocation Counter." Um, okay. Turns out, we got our tickets "upgraded" and were moved to section 115 near the floor, 14 rows up. WOO HOO! Things like upgrades don't happen to Babins. We hear about people like that but it never actually happens to people like me. Anyhoo....with better seats were were set. The show opened with Tami Chynn. Don't know Tami? Well, neither did every soul in the Toyota Center. She gyrated to 3 songs and then she was gone. Natasha Bedingfield came on and she was good. I actually found myself enjoying her, even though I only know of 2 of her songs. I didn't come for her though. Finally, NKOTB came on stage and they looked and sounded every bit as good as they did in 1989. Rebecca and I had such a good time. The upgraded seats were awesome. At one point they left the main stage and came to a smaller stage right in front of us. That was really cool. One thing Rebecca and I decided though was that we overdressed for this event. There were quite some doozies there. We saw lots of sparkles and lots of boobage. Lots of sparkles, did I mention that? All in all, it was money well spent. Cari and Kate - wish you had been there with me, but a huge shout out to Rebecca for going with me. Jason thanks you VERY much :)

Pictures and video to follow:

Tami Chynn (the blonde Jamaican??) and her gyrating dancers

La-la-la-la-la-la TONIGHT!

Today is Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Day

My thoughts and prayers are with those who have suffered this loss. Today and always.....

Shots of September

Nate's Room

Soccer Game #1

Caroline had her first soccer game of the season this past Saturday. She is playing again for the YMCA and has a team of mostly girls this year. Caroline got to play goalie this week so she was very excited. She never got to defend the goal, though. The other team never made it down that far.

GO WHITE WOLVES!

And just because he's cute....